The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-02-17
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. IA, 1887.
Special Correspondence Palatka NEWS.
The pending legislation upon the sub
ject of the Canadian fisheries continues
to excite a great deal of interest among
the politicians, both within and outside
of Congressional circles. The State De-
partment is strongly in favor of the bill
reported from the House committee on
foreign affairs, as it is thought that the
Senate bill is so obscure In it's meaning
as to require future legislation in order
to interpret some of it's provisions. The
House bill is both clear and concise, and
under its provisions the executive branch
would not have to hesitate before taking
steps to carry out its intent.
The Senate bill, which approprIatss
$2l 900, 600 for use in the coast defenses,
was passed by the Senate on Monday and
has been referred to the House commit
see on appropriations. Ii ia believed that
the bill will meet with A vigorous oppo-
sitiOn at the hands of the committee, but
in view of the public interest that has
been manifested, some action, either fla
vOrable or adverse, may be expected
upon the bill.
The Presid, mt gave the last official re-
ing in honor Of the army and navy. AS
is usual at all entertainments where the
brilliant uniformed defenders of the
country are the principal guests, the at
tendance was large. The crowd was
equally as great, and it is said to have
been even more select than the first en-
tertainment of last season, which was
given in honor of the Diplomatic Corps.
Unusual individual interest was given To
81. 10 # . ..
hostess of last season. Miss Rose
Elizabeth Cleveland, to the scene,of her
many pleasant social triumphs, and for
the first time since Mrs. Cleveland has
been mistress of the White House she
shared popular attention with another.
The entertainment was a veritable full
dress parade. The glitter and show of
many uniforms, combined with the rich
dresses of the ladies, and elaborate floral
decorations, made "A scene that for va
riety in color is seldom equaled. Miss
Cleveland held her reception back of the
line in the blue room.
Mrs. Logan, her son and a party of
twenty five personal friends occupied
seats in the ladies' private gallery of the
Senate chant er during the occasion of
the delivery of eulogistic addresses upon
the late Senator on Wednesday. The
galleries were crowded, and long before
Tune LOT the opening Oh the StsSiOn every
seat had been taken. The proceedings
were both interesting and impressive.
Each Senator present awaited himself of
the opportunity afforded him of paying
his last sad tribute to the memory of the
illustriOus statesman.
But sixteen working days remain to
the present Congress, and thirteen of the
fourteen annual appropriation bills are
AS yet not ready to be transmitted to the
President. Ten of these await the action
of the Senate; nine require the action of
Senate committee; five have not yet
passed the House, ami two have not
been reported from the House commit
tees.
The Presidents veto of the dependent
pension bill on Friday last has since been
the principal topic discussed in political
circles. Opinions differ widely upon the
question as to the probable political ef-
feet of the Presidents action. The Re
publicans generally claim that it will
afford them an opportunity for the man
ufacture of political capital. while the
Democrats claim that public sentiment
will approve of the course taken by the
President